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TABLE OF CONTENTS

02-03

A letter from Paul & Family

A letter from Gabby Spear & Family

Life In The Bubble 2023

Save the Date: Eisner 06 Alumni Day

Save the Date: Eisner Alumni Happy Hour NYC

I Found My Love 08-09 at Eisner

10-11 L’Dor V’Dor 12-13

Olim ‘13 Reunion

Day 14-17 Alumni Photos

Connect with Camp

Dear Eisner Alumni Community, As I sit in my office at camp, looking at the beautiful fall scenery near the lake, I reflect on the incredible journey that I have been on over the last two years. Since I began in this role as Director of URJ Eisner Camp on October 1, 2021, I have learned so much about this community and feel incredibly lucky to be back home in this role. This past summer was a special one at Eisner. Compared with my first summer in 2022, this past summer felt more normal. We did not talk about COVID, testing campers and staff and seeing faces covered with masks. Instead, there was a return to a feeling that camp was back to pre-COVID magic in The Bubble. It is hard to select only a couple of memorable moments from this past summer, but I wanted to share a few with you to get an understanding of what I heard, saw and felt this summer. · BOlim Buddies: This incredible program pairs our oldest campers in Olim (entering 10th grade) with Bonim (entering 4th and 5th grades). BOlim Buddies allows our oldest campers to develop connections with some of our youngest campers and share with them some of what makes Eisner so special. The program begins with our Olimers lined up on Olim Hill, holding up signs with their buddy’s name on it. Then, our Bonimers run up the hill to find their buddy and begin their friendship. Throughout the rest of the summer, there are other special moments that continue to foster the relationship, from BOlim swim time, to sitting at Shabbat Dinner together and many more. 02

· Visiting Day: For the first time since 2019, Eisner welcomed back parents, siblings, grandparents and others for Visiting Day during intersession for our full summer campers. I loved getting a chance to meet so many of our families, hearing about the letters home that they have received from their children and meeting some alumni that continue to legacy by sending their children and grandchildren to camp. · Olim 13 Reunion: Due to COVID, we have not been able to welcome back our alumni the same way that we were before 2020. We decided to start small this year, with the hope of being more open for the Summer of 2024 and beyond. One of the ways that we did this was to welcome Olim 13 back for their 10-year reunion at camp. We were thrilled with the turnout and loved learning about each of their connections to camp and how special camp is to each of them. I wanted to give you a little glimpse into the world that I am lucky to work in each day and the community that each of you helped to create. Eisner is such a special community and the love for camp is still being felt by this generation of campers, families and staff. From talking to many alumni on the phone, and meeting some at our alumni events throughout the year, it is clear the impact that camp had on so many people over the 65 years since Eisner first opened its gates. Please know that it is our goal to welcome you back home with events like Alumni Day each fall and visiting opportunities this upcoming summer. We thank you for your patience as we continue to figure out running a camp through and post-COVID. We want you back home to reminisce of the amazing experiences that you had and talk to our current campers and staff and have them see that Eisner continues the amazing legacy that was created by everyone who came before. 03

Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy 2024!

A Letter from Gabby Spear & Family On a gorgeous crisp October morning, I happily woke up very early to begin my drive out to Eisner. Happily, not just because I had a rare two hours by myself in the car to catch up with friends, but because I am always happy when I make the drive to my place of calm and place of forever belonging.

Alumni day brought Eisner alum from all generations back to their summer home. Friends greeting each other with hugs, families introducing their little ones to camp and staff welcoming them all. The best part of my day...the few hours I got to spend in the Tzofim Beit Am. Watching, witnessing and listening as alumni, former campers and staff, searched for their plaques. Some faded with names barely visible but somehow always found. Stories shared with me, legacies of Eisner new and old, were timeless. The day rounded out with a well deserved THANK YOU to Laura Gurvis for her years dedicated to making Eisner the amazing place it is today.Surrounded by family and friends, she was regaled with appreciation and left with a quilt made of Eisner shirts to wrap herself in the love.. Of course no event at Eisner is complete without a song session! A few special guest song leaders were able to sing the original Eisner Alma Mater before everyone belted out Over the Rafters to close us out. All in all, the day was a great success and I can't wait to welcome more alumni back to these beautiful grounds again as we plan more events throughout the year and summer. Until then, may the peace and calm you find at camp be found in your everyday.

Life in The Bubble - Recap of Summer 2023

🏆 16 tournaments dominated with chesed (kindness) and ruach (spirit) 🎵 125 hours of camp songs sung 🎢 900 rides ridden on Trip Day 🌅 48 sunsets enjoyed 🍫 1,548 s'mores made 📢 400 Maccabiah team cheers cheered 🕺 97 Israeli dances danced 💧 82 puddles jumped in 🍭 4,478 trips to the Mo 🍿 22,000 snacks enjoyed at breira 🚤 598 races on the lake inflatables 🧗‍♀️ 1,389 climbs on the tower and wall at adventure 🔯 2,341 Jewish Value of the Week bracelets handed out 🎨 1,286 art projects made 🏊 10,795 laps swam in the pool 🎭 140 hours of Play practice 🐶 1,000,000 pets given to puppies

SAVE THE DATE

EISNER ALUMNI DAY Sunday, October 6, 2024 Be on the lookout for more information in the Spring!

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Registration to open in January 2024! 07

I Found My Love at Eisner By Mark Derwin In the summer of 1984, I was hired to teach computer programming at Eisner Camp. This was my seventh summer at camp and I already had a large group of friends. I was never one to date at camp. I was always happy to spend time with my friends. That summer, a beautiful young woman named Lisa Radwin, from Rockland County, came to camp to be the babysitter for Benjamin Katz. When she wasn’t working, she would help out in the canteen. Not being responsible for a bunk, I would spend a lot of time in the canteen as well. I enjoyed spending time with her. She was so sweet. I was more than three years older than Lisa. I never really thought about asking her for a date, but the thought was in the back of my head. It stayed there for a very long time. I was a junior at Stony Brook University and she was still in high school. The age difference and the distance seemed to make any relationship impossible,

I Found My Love at Eisner FAMIL SPOTLIGHT The years went by and we kept in touch by writing letters and the occasional phone call. Whenever I thought about who I would want to spend my life with, Lisa was always on the top of that list. Six years later, in the summer of 1990, Lisa graduated from Binghamton and I was living in Hoboken. She came to visit. Our first date lasted three days. We dated for the next year and a half and got engaged November I was more than three years older in than Lisa. I never1991. really thought about asking her for a date, but the thought was in the back of my head. It stayed there for a very long time. I was a junior Stony Brook University and married she was still in high school.The age difference and the In atOctober 1992 we were and moved to Merrick, NY. Two of to make any many relationship impossible. our children,distance Jacobseemed and Kate spent summers at Eisner as both The years went by and we kept in touch by writing letters and the occasional phone call. campers and staff. Our youngest, Gabriel, went to Kutz. We both Whenever I thought about who I would want to spend my life with, Lisa was always on the work at Temples, Lisa as a Hebrew and Religious school teacher, top of that list. Six years later, in the summer of 1990, Lisa graduated from Binghamton and I and me as a youth Wedate always encourage children was living in Hoboken. She group came todirector. visit. Our first lasted three days. Wethe dated for the to go to Eisner Camp. toengaged tell ourinstory about how we met at next year and aWe half love and got November 1991. In October 1992 we were married and that movedsummer to Merrick,of NY. Two of our children, Jacob and camp 1984. Kate spent many summers at Eisner as both campers and staff. Our youngest, Gabriel, went to Kutz. We both work at Temples, Lisa as a Hebrew and Religious school teacher, and me Eisner has given me so much. My best friends, my first job and even as a youth group director. We always encourage the children to go to Eisner Camp. We love helped me buy my house. Yet the most important thing Eisner gave to tell our story about how we met at camp that summer of 1994. to meme was wife,best Lisa. It’s been 31 years. Eisner has given so my much.My friends, my firstan jobamazing and even helped me buy my house. Yet the most important thing Eisner gave to me was my wife, Lisa. It’s been an amazing 31 years. Mark Derwin

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L’Dor V’Dor By David Hollander FAMIL And the seasons, they go round and round: A legacy of joy and growth at SPOTLIGHT URJ Camp Eisner In the summer of 1989, I nervously stepped onto the grounds of URJ Camp Eisner. I was 12 years old, starting as a new camper in Ofarim. Accompanied by my sister, starting in K’Tanim during its inaugural year, I had no idea what I was diving into – and no idea that, 35 years later, Eisner would still be such a central piece of my life. Because, as I walked the grounds for the first time, little did I know I was starting on a lifelong journey of self-discovery as an educator, a leader, and a Jew. Over the next decade, Eisner became my haven, fostering a sense of independence and instilling a profound understanding of my cultural roots. Later, as a staff member, I found my true calling – working with kids. Eisner gave me a sense of purpose that became the cornerstone of my career in education. I learned so much from the people, the institution, and the wider Eisner community. Fast forward 35 years and I’m experiencing Eisner in a completely different way – through my -11-year-old daughter’s eyes, soon to begin her sixth summer at camp. The same place that sculpted my character is now molding hers. It’s incredible to see her navigating the same activities, participating in the same traditions, and forming bonds that echo the friendships I cherish from camp. Like so many Reform Jews before her, she is learning in Limud, Israeli dancing on the quad, and trying to predict how and when Maccabiah will break. While so much has changed in this world and at camp over the past three decades, the core of the experience remains as strong as ever. Eisner offers a place to unplug from the noise and technology of the world and get in touch with what matters – exactly what I did and exactly what she’s doing. 10

L’Dor V’Dor FAMILEisner has helped bring out the best versions Across the generations, SPOTLIGHT of so many of us. As was my experience, I’ve watched my daughter transform into a calmer, more confident, and more focused person. She feels empowered to try new things, build new connections, and test new skills at camp. Summer after summer the experience leads to deep self-discovery while fostering a robust sense of identity grounded in our shared Jewish heritage. And it’s a joy to witness. Also profound. Watching my daughter build connections with the children of my former campmates – a beautiful continuity speaking to the Eisner impact. As I see her laughter mingling with the echoes of my own, there’s an indescribable satisfaction in knowing that the spirit of Eisner endures. And now, as my five-year-old eagerly anticipates her turn to join the Eisner family in summer 2025, the anticipation is palpable. She’s already singing “Over the Rafters” during car rides, eagerly looking forward to immersing herself in the “Eisner Bubble.” It’s a testament to the lasting impact of this camp that transcends time, linking generations through shared experiences and traditions. She already feels part of the community before even attending her first summer as a camper. In the tapestry of life, Eisner is more than a thread; it’s a vibrant, enduring pattern that connects us through the years. As we pass the torch of tradition to the next generation, we realize Eisner isn’t just a place. It’s a legacy, a timeless journey where the past, present, and future converge to celebrate growth, community, and the unbreakable bonds forged under the starlit skies of a Jewish sleepaway haven.

Olim ‘13 Reunion Eisner Camp gives something unique to every person that drives through the gates each summer - often something that at the time, we don’t realize will matter to us for the rest of our lives. Eisner gave the three of us in particular, as members of Olim 2013 (and Machon and staff after that), some of our closest lifelong friendships. Our camp friends have sustained us through all of the twists and turns of college and young adulthood. Ten years since we left Olim, hardly a day goes by when we don’t speak to someone from our Olim class. As the tenth anniversary of our Olim summer approached this year, we and our Olim classmates wanted to celebrate by coming together physically at camp for the first time in a decade. We also wanted to commemorate the anniversary by giving back to camp. As a class, we are collectively passionate about supporting as many kids to be able to go to camp as possible - we believe financial cost should never be a barrier to the Eisner community. With both of our goals in mind, we launched a fundraiser this summer to directly benefit the Eisner Camp Scholarship Fund. To date, we’ve raised over $5,000 from friends of Olim ‘13 and the broader Eisner community. With the support of the amazing Eisner staff, we were also able to gather at camp for our 10-year reunion, where we reconnected with old friends and celebrated Shabbat with campers, faculty, and staff. We have been deeply warmed and energized by the grassroots support that the 10-year anniversary campaign has drawn. We are unendingly grateful to all who donated and shared the campaign on social media and by word of mouth. Global events since this summer have reminded us of the importance of vibrant, empowered Jewish community and identity in all of our lives. We can think of few more impactful ways to spread Jewish joy and connection than to help make Eisner Camp accessible for every child. The Olim ‘13 Scholarship Fund campaign is still open if you would like to make a contribution. Eisner Olim ’13 10th Anniversary - Campaign (reformjudaism.org) 12

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Connect with Camp

Find us on social media: Facebook.com/URJEisnerCamp @URJEisnerCamp Facebook.com/URJEisnerCampAlumni

Check out our website: EisnerCamp.org

Send us snail mail: P.O Box 569 Great Barrington, MA 01230

Give us a call: (413) 528-1652

URJ Eisner Camp 53 Brookside Road Great Barrington, MA 01230 EisnerCamp.org